The Microsoft in Power & Utilities blog discusses the emerging technological and economic challenges facing the global Utility industry and how Utilities can innovate through a strategy based on devices and services to transform and grow their business

We continue to get the question, what is Microsoft doing about enabling the Smart Grid. The short answer is “A lot.”

The more meaningful answer is that we are working with a number of partners in several engagements to enable several different pieces of the Smart Grid. It’s nearly impossible to roll them up in one place so thankfully this blog can serve as a place to roll them out as they come out on their own.

Our key calling card for all these Smart Grid/Smart Meter projects is flexibility. As Harris says:

So, as an energy and utility company the opportunity exists to evolve the consumer relationship and to embrace the technology as other customer-centric brands with national coverage become interested in the space. Embracing change in energy consumers’ behaviour is also key; as desires and expectations are changing, so rewards for energy efficiency and eco-awareness materialise.

The Smart Grid and utilities’ interactions with customers will evolve over time. The key is to have an architecture and plan in place for creating the flexibility that will respond to changes as they arise. – Jon Arnold